Muñoz MJ, Cabrera-Andrade A, Gutierrez-Aguirregabiria A, Gönenc II, Ramón Y Cajal S, Aasen T.
Internal translation of truncated protein isoforms throughout the connexin gene family.
Genes Dis. 2025 Feb 25;13(2):101572.
DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101572.
IF: 9.4
RESEARCH GROUPS
Translational Molecular Pathology
50
Number of publications
62.00
%
% Q1
28.00
%
% D1
54.00
%
% Leadership
51.85
%
% Female Leadership
2.20
CROWN (2021-2025)
18.94
%
HCP10% (2021-2025)
56.00
%
% Open access
42.00
%
% International Collaboration
9
Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)
7
Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores
12
Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)
1
International ongoing projects
1
Number of New projects (total)
0
International new projects
0
Number of Active clinical Trials
0
Number of New Clinical Trials
0
Number of Theses
Our group develops innovative cancer therapies by targeting mechanisms of intercellular communication. We identified integrin mediated exosome uptake as a druggable target and demonstrated the efficacy of inhibitors in metastasis models. In parallel, we are advancing the MNK1/2 inhibitor EB1 toward clinical application as a potential therapeutic candidate. Publications arising from these findings will follow patent protection. This work is supported by AGAUR, PERIS, and ISCIII.
We also discovered that the gap junction protein Cx43 promotes the formation of tunneling nanotubes linked to tumor progression and therapy resistance, a research line further expanded with ISCIII support. In addition, we are investigating the role of pannexin 1 in these processes.
The pathology department contributes to collaborative projects (>40 publications) with clinical samples, expert knowledge, and specialized techniques with a current focus on digital pathology for faster and more accurate diagnoses.
CORE/MISSIONS
- AI, Data, Imaging & Digital Health
PROGRAMS
TEAM
Group Leader
Santiago Ramon y Cajal Agüeras
Principal Investigator (PI)
Trond Aasen
Researchers
Josep Castellví Vives, Cleofé Romagosa Pérez-Portabell, Elena Antima Martinez Saez, Vicente Peg Camara, Maria Teresa Salcedo Allende, Irene Sansano Valero, Javier Hernandez Losa, Marta Sese Faustino, María Ortega Albiach, Sonia Borao Arriazu, Stefan Hümmer; Stefania Landolofi, Maria Carme Dinarès Fernández
PhD Students
Nikaoly Ciriaco Cortés, Jordi Temprana Salvador, Marta Cano Galietero, Elena Muro Blanc, Sara Garcia Ortega, Adriana Martinez Cifuentes
Lab Technicians
Teresa Moline Marimon, Maria Rosa Somoza Lopez de Haro, Mariana Perez Cano, Julian Piñeiro Fernandez
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Tresserra F, Colmenero I, Iglesias M, Ortega L, Temprana-Salvador J, Martínez Lorente A, Dinares C, Mayordomo E, Lozano MD, Matias Guiu X, Ramon Y Cajal S.
Management of second opinions in pathology: Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Anatomical Pathology (SEAP). Second opinions in pathology.
Rev Esp Patol. 2025 Oct-Dec;58(4):100837.
DOI: 10.1016/j.patol.2025.100837.
IF: 0.5
Sansano I, Vázquez A, Persiva O, Simó M, Sánchez L, Montoya P, Dinarès C, Alemán C.
BAP-1 in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Respir Med Res. 2025 Nov 28;89:101231
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmer.2025.101231.
IF: 1.8
McGrail K, Granado-Martínez P, Orsenigo R, Caratù G, Nieto P, Heyn H, Ferrer B, Hernández-Losa J, Muñoz-Couselo E, García-Patos V, Recio JA.
Transcriptional reprogramming triggered by neonatal UV radiation or Lkb1 loss prevents BRAF<sup>V600E</sup>-induced growth arrest in melanocytes.
Oncogene. 2025 Jun;44(21):1592-1608
DOI: 10.1038/s41388-025-03339-7.
IF: 7.3
Varela-Vázquez A, Guitián-Caamaño A, Carpintero-Fernández P, Carneiro-Figueira A, Álvarez V, Varela-Eirín M, Calleja-Chuclá T, Bravo-López SB, Vidal A, Sendón-Lago J, Mateos MR, Caeiro JR, Sanz-Moreno V, Aasen T, Blanco MG, Sabio G, Quindós M, Rivas C, Santamaría D, Fernandez-Lozano C, Fonseca E, Huertas P, Sánchez-Laorden B, Alabert C, Mayán MD.
Cx43 enhances response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors by reducing DNA repair capacity.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 4;16(1):6168.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60971-3.
IF: 15.7
SELECTED PROJECTS
CancerScan: Smart pathology slide scanner for diagnosis and patient-specific treatment recommendation in oncology.
Principal Investigator: Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Agency: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON).
Funding: 140,000 €
Period: 01/01/2025-31/12/2027
The MNK inhibitor EB1: a novel opportunity to combat therapy resistance in cancer treatment
Principal Investigator: Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Agency: AGENCIA DE GESTIO D'AJUTS UNIVERSITARIS I DE RECERCA (AGAUR).
Funding: 149.347 €.
Period: 01/12/2024-31/05/2026.
Inhibición de la comunicación celular para la prevención del desarrollo de metástasis y la resistencia a terapias antitumorales. Desarrollo de dos nuevas aproximaciones terapéuticas.
Principal Investigator: Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ICSIII)
Funding: 240,000 €
Period: 01/01/2024- 31/12/2026
Cx43-regulated intercellular protrusions in cancer: functional elucidation, target discovery, biomarker development and tumor screening.
Principal Investigator: Trond Aasen
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ICSIII)
Funding: 147,620 €
Period: 01/01/2022 - 31/06/2026
Cx43 Cell Communication In Cancer
Principal Investigator: Trond Aasen
Agency: VALLVIVA - Fundació Eudald Morera (Vallviva.cat)
Funding: 10,000 € (for 2025)
Period: 01/03/2024-01/03/2027
PATENTS
Inhibitor of Map Kinase Interacting Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (Mnk1) and Map Kinase Interacting Serine/Threonine Kinase 2 (Mnk2), Cancer Therapy Methods And Therapeutic Combinations
Priority Number: PCT/EP2020/069459 // WO2021005183 //
Priority Date: 14/01/2021
Applicants: VHIR (48.5%), IQS(50%), CIBER (1.5%)
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
Patólogos, los notarios de la medicina
Place: TVE
Date: 09/12/2025
Brief: Pathologists are the unsung heroes of medicine, yet their diagnoses form the basis of all treatments. We take a closer look at a branch of medicine that is calling for greater investment, more advanced technology and a new relationship with patients.
Vallviva és una experiència única.
Place: Olot Televisió 12 Jul 2025
Date: 12/07/2025
Brief: Vallviva is a unique experience. We delve into it to discover everything the Garrotxa's flagship festival has to offer.
Festival VALLVIVA
Place: Teatre Principal d’Olot.
Date: 02/04/2025
Brief: Talk by Trond Aasen.
Eurodis: Open Academy School on Scientific Innovation & Translational Research (2025)
Place: VHIR
Date: 06/2025
Brief: Presentation of the laboratory and the research project in the context of Eurodis: Open Academy School on Scientific Innovation & Translational Research (2025)
Todo lo que la IA va a cambiar de la palabra cáncer
Place: El Pais
Date: 09/12/2025
Brief: The emergence of artificial intelligence in oncology and pathology will help to speed up diagnosis and identify the correct treatment, whilst anticipating risks and potential side effects.
Featuring: Jordi Temprana, Pathologist at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona
